Big 12 basketball report: Status for UT's Kabongo remains uncertain

Updated 8:48 pm, Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Texas' Myck Kabongo (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas' Myck Kabongo (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay

Big 12 basketball report: Status for UT's Kabongo remains uncertain

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Kabongo's status remains fluid

Texas' preseason work has been thrown into uncertainty after news surfaced last week that sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo is being investigated by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits. Kabongo has been accused of accepting payment from agent Rich Paul for a trip to Cleveland last spring that included a workout with a professional trainer.

Rick Barnes and his staff don't know to what degree - if any - Kabongo's eligibility was compromised. Kabongo is practicing with the Longhorns with no indication of when or what kind of penalties could be forthcoming.

Mountaineers will rack up miles

West Virginia coach Bob Huggins' sense of humor was on display Wednesday when he talked about some of his Big 12 memories.

Huggins coached Kansas State to a 23-12 record in 2006-07 before leaving for WVU. That experience should help him, Huggins said at the Big 12's media day.

"Well, I know where to eat," Huggins said.

Unlike with the conference's current home-and-home format, Huggins didn't visit every opposing Big 12 team during his season at KSU.

"I almost wanted to stay just so I could go to Lubbock the next year," Huggins joked.

The Mountaineers will face two sets of back-to-back road games in league play. On both trips, they'll have three-day breaks before their next game.

"They asked me who our rivalry in the conference is going to be, and I said it's probably Iowa State," Huggins said. "They're the closest, only 853 air miles away."

Drew barred for two games

As part of Baylor's NCAA probation for impermissible phone calls and text messages, coach Scott Drew will be suspended for the first two conference games. Drew will miss the Bears' Jan. 5 game against Texas and a Jan. 8 game at Texas Tech.